Wednesday 22nd November 2006

Subaru offers a Burns tribute

Special Impreza to honour rally star's tragic death

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Subaru Impreza RB320

Subaru has announced a new special edition Impreza WRX STI in memory of rally hero Richard Burns who died in November last year of cancer.

Called the RB320, the new car features around £6,000 worth of extra equipment including the 316bhp Prodrive Performance Pack, yet costs £29,995 on-the-road – an increase of only £3,500.

Available only in Obsidian Black, the RB320 features bespoke 18-inch alloy wheels and specially developed Prodrive suspension comprising Bilstein dampers, a sports spring kit with revised rear anti-roll bar and a ride height lowered by 30 mm at the front and 10 mm at the rear.

Also standard on the RB320 are a chrome mesh front grille, front lip spoiler, quickshift gearchange, side sill plates and RB320-branded gear knob, carpet mats and exclusive exterior badging. Each owner will also receive an individually numbered black alloy tax disc holder.

The PPP boosts power to 316bhp at 6,000 rpm with torque leaping to 332lb-ft at 3,700 rpm. This reduces the 0-60 mph time to 4.8 seconds with a 0-100 mph time of 12.2 seconds.

Subaru offered an incentive to buy early by offering customers placing early orders with deposits one of a limited number of places at a special RB320 launch event next March at Prodrive’s test track in Warwickshire. Buyers of the RB320 will take delivery of their cars at the circuit and drive demonstration STIs around the track and meet rally celebrities. In addition, customers will also be able to register on-line and reserve the limited-edition number of their choice via a special sub-section of Subaru’s website.

The first car is to be given away in a special raffle organised by Autosport magazine, donated by Subaru UK. The proceeds will go to the Richard Burns Foundation which helps those suffering from serious injury and illness.

Subaru rally ace, Richard Burns – holder of the FIA World Rally Championship driver’s title – died in November 2005 of brain cancer at the age of 32.

[MrKipling43]

A fitting tribute to a total legend. Great to see the anniversary of his death will be 'celebrated' in fine style.

Rock on Subaru.

[Podie]

MrKipling43 said:

A fitting tribute to a total legend. Great to see the anniversary of his death will be 'celebrated' in fine style.

Rock on Subaru.

Blimey... hard to believe a year has passed...

[Matt1986]

Very fitting for the only English World Rally Champion, I always admired Richard Burns and have other Limited Edition Subaru toys with his name on. If only I could afford this one too.

RIP Richard, sadly missed.

[MrKipling43]

Podie said:

MrKipling43 said:

A fitting tribute to a total legend. Great to see the anniversary of his death will be 'celebrated' in fine style.

Rock on Subaru.

Blimey... hard to believe a year has passed...

It is isn't it?

[craggers]

Wow - it look really mean !! Will want that in few year time when the price have gone down

Can't believe that Burnsie been dead for year ! RIP Richard Burns

[Twelve_75]

Rest In Piece a year later for RB.

Nice car, looks very mean and with the Prodrive pack, it should be an utter storm to pilot.

[sublimatica]

Nice gesture of Subaru, and RIP Richard, but FFS could the author of this article not discribe Mr Burns as 'tragic' please? He was not tragic; his death was.

This is not News of the World...

[mojocvh]

Rock on Subaru

yep just thinking about it kinda brings a lump to your throat

[manek]

sublimatica said:

Nice gesture of Subaru, and RIP Richard, but FFS could the author of this article not discribe Mr Burns as 'tragic' please? He was not tragic; his death was.

This is not News of the World...

Fair point

Now changed.

[mafioso]

Nice car, but what bugs me is that everyday you'd get in your car, you would be constantly reminded of his death! Also, the colour black doesn't help! Wouldn't you lot agree?

[SUSSEX]

A very nice looking/speced car and a very fitting tribute.

[71RS]

Awesome looking car. Understand reasons for the colour, but going off topic, why was the old Colin Macrae special edition black?

[havoc]

mafioso said:

Nice car, but what bugs me is that everyday you'd get in your car, you would be constantly reminded of his death! Also, the colour black doesn't help! Wouldn't you lot agree?

I think you'd be reminded of him - the inspiration for the car. And to many (particularly Subaru fans), that would I suspect be inspiration for them.

So perhaps not negative or maudlin. But does depend on your point of view.

[EatTheRich]

Looks gorgeous!... now to find £30k!

Glad they've done something like this for Burns - a treat of a car for a legend of a driver

[StuB]

Great looking car and a generous gesture by Subaru. The legend lives on.

[cptsideways]

It'd be nice if they donated a small part of the proceeds to one of his previously nominated charities, I'm fairly sure he'd have liked that.

RIP Richard you shall be sadly missed, though I'm sure you can hear the odd burlbe of a scooby driving through the cloudy hills of the odd bit of wales

[waynepixel]

That car looks great, and it is fantastic to see Subaru give Richard a tribute like this. fear play. RIP mate.

[dotdog]

What an extraordinary man.. a friend of mine once chatted to him on a web chat room, when he was abroad on a rally - he was completely unassuming and modest, and it was only after quite a while that my mate realised he was THE richard burns...! a great loss.
As far as the car goes.. lovely, but i'd rather have the Litchfield 25 - 0-60 in 3.8 and 0-100 in 8.8, and looks standard.. stupendous!
P.S. here here! on the charities...

Edited by dotdog on Wednesday 22 November 14:11

[adycav]

A great tribute to a talented man, and I'm sure one that he would appreciate.

[burns76]

I'm really glad that Subaru are honouring Burnsie's memory this way. It goes to show what a special guy he was - he now has both the RB5 and the RB320 to his name.

It'll be a year on Saturday - I'll be raising a glass or three for him.